Time release fragrance sachet, method of using same and method of fabricating same

Abstract

Described is a time release fragrance sachet for air freshening, particularly for use in clothing storage cabinets. The sachets comprise a container fabricated from a substance either sufficiently porous for perfumes to pass therethrough or having openings capable of permitting fragrances to pass through the walls thereof. The sachets each contain thermoplastic particles which have contained in the interstices thereof fragrance materials. The polymer particles can be foamed particles produced using chemical blowing agents or direct gas extrusion processes. Also described are methods for fabricating such sachets and methods of using same.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A three-dimensional sachet article located in a three-dimensional space comprising: 
       (1) non-rigid, hollow containment means consisting of a non-rigid, non-perforated container wall, which is a continuous, thin lamina separating an inner void from an outer environment, totally surrounding said inner void; having a height of from about 3 inches up to about 6 inches and a width of from about 2 inches up to about 5 inches; and having a measurement of weave of from about 10 up to about 120 grams per square centimeter, and which is porous to perfumes having a calculated log 10 P of from about 3 up to about 8; and  
       (ii) contained within a major proportion of said inner void and supported by said non-perforated container wall, a plurality of extruded polymeric perfume-containing and evolving particles having a total weight of from about 2 grams up to about 14 grams and a diameter of from about 3 mm up to about 7 mm, each of which contains within the interstices, thereof from about 5 up to about 45% by weight of a perfume composition having a calculated log 10 P of from about 3 up to about 8, and a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of greater than 250° C., which perfume composition is emitted in a controllably releasable manner over an extended period of time into said inner void and then into said outer environment.  
     
     
       2. The article of claim  1  wherein addition to the plurality of extruded polymeric perfume-containing and evolving particles contained within said inner void, there is also contained in said inner void in admixture with said extruded particles, particles of vermiculite. 
     
     
       3. A process for fragrancing a third-dimensional space over an extended period of time comprising the step of placing the sachet article of claim  1  within said three-dimensional space. 
     
     
       4. A process for fragrancing a three-dimensional space over an extended period of time comprising the step of placing the sachet article of claim  2  within said three-dimensional space. 
     
     
       5. A process for forming the article of claim  1  comprising the steps of: 
       (i) providing a first planar, non-rigid lamina consisting of a polymer porous to perfumes having a calculated log 10 P of from about 3 up to about 8 and having a circumference which is heat sealable over substantially its entire distance;  
       (ii) placing on said first planar lamina a plurality of extruded polymeric particles, each of which contains within the interstices thereof from about 5 up to about 45% by weight of a peruse composition having a calculated log 10 P of from about 3 up to about 8, which particles emit said perfume composition in a controllably releasable manner over an extended period of time;  
       (iii) providing a second planar lamina having a geometry substantially identical to said first planar lamina consisting of a polymer porous to perfumes having a calculated log 10 P of from about 3 up to about 8 and having a circumference which is heat sealable substantial over its entire length;  
       (iv) placing said second planar lamina in contact with said first planar lamina so that their respective circumferences are juxtaposed with one another; and  
       (v) applying sufficient heat to an area proximate said entire circumferences, whereby said first planar lamina is sealed to said second planar lamina along the entire circumferences of said first planar lamina and said second planar lamina.  
     
     
       6. The article of claim  1  wherein the extruded, polymeric, perfume-containing and evolving particles are polymeric foam particles. 
     
     
       7. The article of claim  2  wherein the extruded, polymeric, perfume-containing and evolving particles are polymeric foam particles.